Decorative bow



M y 1949. F. c. SOUTHGATE 2,471,590

DECORATIVE BOW 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1, 1946 INVENTOR.

FRA N/(C'. SOUTH 64 7'5 ATTORN E Y F. c. SOUTHGATE 2,471,590

DECORATIVE BOW May 31, 1949.

Filed July 1 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANKCSOUTHGA TE BY I May 31, 1949. F. c. SOUTHGATE 2,471,590

DECORATIVE BOW Filed July 1, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FHA NK 0. SOUTH 6A TE ATTORNEY Patented May 31; 1949 UNITED STATES OFFICE DECORATIVE BOW Frank C. Southgate, SanFrancisco, Calif. Application July 1, 1946,'Serial No.680,8-15

11 Claims.

Thisinvention relatesto a decorative bow.

An object of this invention is-to provide a bow in which the wings and the knot are formed or looped out of a preformed blank-of a comparatively stifibut fiexible'material, and in which coacting engagement elements are provided to tie the elements of the bow'together into the desired shape and "for securing the tails of the bow in position; said elements and parts' being'so formed that the bowcan'be'arranged without any tying of knots and can be'shipped'in aknock-downcondition and formed quickly andefficiently into its decorative shape.

Inmanufacturing'the device, while various elements'thereof maybe constructed-in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, yet it is preferable to form the same from a stifi but flexible sheet material such as card-board or flexible plastic "or the like in form of stampings or blanks, on account-of the cheapness, and lightness of such material; but irrespective of these details in manufacturing, the essential features of the invention-are always preserved.

Another object of this invention is to provide a decorative-bow which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative 'inexpensiveness of manufacture are further'objects which have been bornein mind 'in'the production and development of the invention.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank for the bow out in accordance with my invention;

Fig. "2 'is a plan view showing the wings of the bow'bent in shape;

Figure '3 is a rear view of the bow with the wings bent, 'showingthe tails before folding;

Fig. 4 is a rear view bow with the central band folded around and the tails in folded position;

Fig. 5 isa rear view showing the tails assembled in position on the folded bow;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of an assembled bow with the tails in a side spread position;

Fig. 'I is a rear view of the bow folded into wings and an unfolded unitary tail;

Fig. '8 is a rear "view of the bow folded when the unitary tail is in iplace on the same;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bow with the tail assembled;

Fig. 10 is .a plan view of a blank cut for a double bow;

-Figal l-isaplan view 'o'fzthe double bow with the wings on, one-half folded over; and

Fig. 121s a perspective view of the-double bow assembledwith the tails thereon.

The blank .cut for my bow includes a :pair of wings I, tapering into :"narrower necks 2 integral with'ahub 3,:from which latter'extends a band 4 at right .angles to the a'xis of the wings adapted to 'form'the knot of the bow. The outer end of each wing l is provided with apair or ears 6. The longitudinal contour slines oredges of each wing 1 diverge irom'the neck 2 tea widestintermediate bow portion 1 and then converge toward the ears .6 and join said'ears'fi 'so that a retaining shoulder edge 8 is formed at "the base of each ear 6 substantially .atright angles to the longitudinal axis of the bow. Theputer'edgeof each ear 6 isrounded as at'9 andit'turns substantially parallel with the longitudinal center line of the bow l. Theseinner edges H of the ears 6 terminatetin a V-shaped cut l2, the apex of which is located on the "longitudinal center line of the bow :and is spaced from theouter'endof the bow.

Contiguously with each inner edge H of each ear 6 and sli'ghtly'idive'rging from the center is a score line I3 which lines l3 are connected by an arc score line H! spaced from the apex of the V-shaped cut l2 toward the center of the bow. The score lines l3 and i4 and theV-shaped cut l2 are .50 related that the outer end of the bow maybe "dented at'said score lines l3 and I4 and thereby bring thexadjacent-earsfi together as particularly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

On "the hub 3 are provided a pair of parallel slits I6 which are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bow and are parallel with the axis of the band 4. The slits l6 and such size that when the wings at the outer ends are dented on the score lines I 3 and M and the ears 6 are broughttogether, and the wings I are bent upon themselves, then the respective pairs of ears '15 can be inserted into the respective slits l6 as shown in Fig. 2', and be held interlocked in said slits l6 and :in the hub 3 and retain the bow shape of the wings This step is particularly shown in Fig. 2'.

As shown in the rear View @of the bow in Fig. 3 the ears '6 are bunched together between the respective slits '16 and behind the hub 3 so that their respective edges 8 prevent the disengagement of the ears 6 from the "respective slits l6.

The band 4 is also flexibl-ean'd is bent around the front of the hub 3 so as to cover the ears 6 at the front. A narrowed stem .11 and an engagement head 18 on said band 4 can then be bent from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the rear position shown in Fig. 4 and inserted under the ears 6 between the slits I6 at the rear end as shown in Fig. 4, so that the head I8 prevents the disengagement of the knot formed by the band 4. In this manner the bow is easily formed and readily holds its shape without any staples or other fastening elements.

In combination with the stamping and the wings I heretofore described, a pair of tails I9 are provided for each bow. Each tail is cut out of a stamping or blank as shown in Fig. 3. The longitudinal edges 2| of each tail I9 preferably converge, and one of them may be substantially vertical as shown in Fig. 3. The lower transverse edge 22 has an offset 23 at an angle so that lower line 24 of the edge is offset at a predetermined distance from the higher transverse edge 22. The other transverse edge of each tail is provided with a substantially transverse ear 26 formed by a cut 21 preferably converging with respect to the bottom or lower edge of the tail I 9. The out edge 21 continues beyond the ear 26 and has thereon formed another ear 28 extending substantially at right angles to the ear 26 which is hooked around at 29 to form an ear facing toward the inclined side edge 2|. A score line 3I extends from the end of the ear 26 to a corner of the offset 23 of the shorter transverse edge 22 at the bottom. Another score line 32 extends from the other edge of the offset 23 upwardly and diverging from the first score line 3| and to the top out line 21 so that the tail may be bent around these score lines 3| and 32 and bring the transverse edges 22 and 24 into alignment as well as bring the ear 26 beyond the other ear 26 as shown in Fig. 4.

The tails I6 formed in the aforesaid manner can be secured on the bow by inserting the respective ears 26 into and under secondary slits 33 formed adjacent the hub 3 on each wing I. The slits 33 closer to the outer ends of the wings I are preferably inclined outwardly. The ears 26 then can be inserted into these slits 33 pointed outwardly and held there so as to retain the tails IS in position.

The tails I9 are shown in the assembled position in Fig. which is the rear view of the assembled bow with the tails I9 thereon. In the event it is desirable to form a bow with tails extending laterally or upwardly then the other cars 28 of the respective tails I9 are secured into slits 33 in the manner shown in Fig. 6 to hold the tails I9 in a laterally and upwardly extending position as shown in Fig. 6.

The perspective view in Fig. 9 shows the front view of the completed bow with the tails in downwardly extended position as well as the band in the knot position. I In this position the bow may be used for decorative purposes, such as Christmas or holiday wreaths and decorations or decorating packages, or for floral display for various occasions as well as for any other purposes wherein such bows may be readily utilized.

In the modified form in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 the wings of the bow and the bow itself are formed the same way as heretofore described, but a unitary tail 36 is provided. This unitary tail has converging longitudinal or side edges 31, each of which converging edge 31 terminates at an ear 36 on the upper transverse edge of the tail 36. The upper transverse edge of the tail 36 is out at 39 from a point at the base of the ear 38 to a point spaced from the center line of the tail 36. From this center integral portion of the tail 36 extend laterally the horizontal ears 4| toward each of the outer ears 38 and are spaced from the respective ears 38 so as to form the horizontal ears of the tail 36. The lower transverse edge of the tail 36 is again out at a zig-zag with offset 42, from the edges of which offset 42 extend diverging score lines 43 one to a point on the other transverse edge 39 aligned with the outer end of each ear GI and the other diverging from the same so that when the respective end portions of the tails 36 are folded around the score lines 13 the lower zig-zag transverse edges 44 of the tail 36 are brought into alignment as shown in Fig. 8. For decorative purposes there is a out line or slot 46 from the lower transverse edge toward the upper. In order to place the tail 36 in position the tails are folded on their scored edges 43 and then the ears 39 are placed in the slits 33 as shown in Fig. 8 holding the unitary tail 36 in the decorative position.

Another modified form of the invention is a double bow with four wings as shown in Figs. 10 to 12. As indicated, a single blank is cut with four radiating wings 5I each of which wings M is constructed in accordance with the wings I heretofore described so that the same can be dented at the ends and have their ears 52 brought together and secured into substantially diagonal slits 53. Each slit 53 is at right angles to the axis of the adjacent win-g 5I so that the wing when bent upon itself can have its ears 52 engaged in the adjacent slits 53. The band stem 54 can be folded around and held in place under the ears in the manner heretofore described in connection with the single bow structure. Outside of the diagonal slits 53 and substantially parallel with the band axis, a pair of tail retaining slits 56 are provided into which the ears of wings 51 can be secured in the manner heretofore described. The wings 51 also are to be made in the manner heretofore described in connection with the other forms.

In all the forms the bows can be readily shipped in flat knock-down condition. When ready for use they can be assembled by merely flexing or denting the outer scored ends so as to bring the ears of the wings together and then by folding and bending each wing upon itself and securing its ears under the respective slits in the hub of the stem, the wings of the bows are formed. Then the knot is formed by bending the band or stem around and over the front of the ears of the wings and then the retaining head portion of the band stem is secured under the ears of the wings thereby completing the bow. Thereafter the wings are secured in the other slits in the selected position and the decorative design is thus completed. The invention is adapted for ready use and shipping and storing in large quantities without taking up too much space; it does not require any expert labor for its assembly and application; it can be readily supplied in great variety and for a great variety of purposes as needed; it does not require any staples, clips or other securing means, and is entirely self-sufficient to form the decoration desired.

I claim:

1. A blank for the forming of a bow comprising a hub, a pair of wings extended oppositely from said hub being made of flexible stiff material, each wing being adapted to be bent upon itself so as to bring its outer ends to said hub, engagement ears on said outer ends of said wings, said hub having slits therein to be engaged by said wings to hold said wings in bent position, the outer from and between the ears, each win being but between the .ears inwardly so as to permitrthe dishing and denting or said outer .ends ,at said score lines to form the hollow dished inner ends of each wing'of the bow.

2. A blank iorthe forming of a bow comprising a hub, a pair of wings extended oppositely from said hub bein made-of flexible-sun m t r l, a h wing being adapted to be bent upon itself so as to brin its outerends tosaid hub. engagement ears on said outer ends of said wings, said'hub having slits therein to be engaged by said wings to hold said wings in bent position, the outer endsof'each wing being scored by lines tween the ears, each wingbeingcut between the ears inwardly so as to permit the dishing and denting of said outer ends at said score lines to form the hollow dished inner ends of each wing of the bow, and a stem extended from said hub at right angles to the axes of said wings being adapted to be bent over said hub, an engagement head on the end of said stem for engagement with and under said ears in a position to form a knot on said hub of said how after said wings are bent upon themselves into bow position.

3. A blank for the forming of a bow comprising a hub, a pair of wings extended oppositely from said hub being made of flexible stiff material, each wing being adapted to as to bring its outer ends to said hub, engagement ears on said outer ends of said wings, said hub having slits therein to be engaged by said wings to hold said wings in bent position, the outer ends of each wing being scored by lines extended from and between the ears, each wing being out between the ears inwardly so as to permit the dishing and denting of said outer ends of said score lines to form the hollow dished inner ends of each win of the bow, and a stem extended from said hub at right angles to the axes of said wings being adapted to be bent over said hub, an engagement head on the end of said stem for engagement with and under said ears in a position to form a knot on said hub of said bow after said wings are bent upon themselves into bow position, a tail for said bow foldable on scored lines into decorative shape, and ears on a transverse edge of said tail, said hub having additional slits thereon to be engaged by said ears of said tails in selected position.

4. In a bow of the character described, a hub, integral wings radiating from said hub in four different directions on symmetrical axes, each wing being formed in the contour of a bow and being made of stiff flexible material and being bendable upon itself, ears formed on the outer end of each wing, said hub having slits thereon, each slit being at right angles to the axis of the adjacent wing and being engageable by the ears of said adjacent wing to hold said wing in position bent upon itself to form a bow, an inclosed scored area between said ears of each wing adapted to be dished on the score lines to form the dished centers of the respective wings as bows.

5. In a bow of the character described, a hub, integral wings radiating from said hub in four diflerent directions on symmetrical axes, each wing being formed in the contour of a bow and being made of stiff flexible material and being bendable upon itself, ears formed on the outer end of each wing, said hub having slits thereon, each slit being at right angles to the axis of the adjacent wing and being engageable by the ears of said adjacent wing to hold said wing in position bent upon itself to form a bow, an inclosed extended from andbe- 5 be bent upon itself so scored area between said ears of each wing .adaptcdtobe dished on the score lines toiormsthe dished centers of the respective wings as bows, foldabie :ta-ils for said bow, an edge of said tails having ears thereon, and said h m having slits outside of said diagonal slits engageable by said ears .of said tails to hold said tails in selected positions.

"6. In a bowof thecharacter described, a hub, :integral wings radiating from said hub in four difierent directions on symmetrical axes, each wing being formed in the contour of abow and being made .of stiff flexible material and being "bendable upon itself, ears formed on the outer end of each wing, said'hub having slits thereon, each slit being at right angles to the axis of the adjacent wing and being engageable by the ears of said adjacent wing to hold said wing in position bent upon itself to form a bow, an inclosed scored area between said ears of each wing adapted to be dished on the score lines to form the dished centers of the respective wings as bows, a stem extended from said hub, engagement head formed on said stem, said stem being flexible over the front of said hub and said engagement means being insertable under said ears in the said diagonal slits for holding said stem in knotting position with respect to said wings.

7. A blank for the forming of a bow comprising a hub, a pair of wings extended oppositely from said hub being made of flexible stiff material, each wing being adapted to be bent upon itself so as to bring its outer ends to said hub, engagement ears on said outer ends of said wings, said hub having slits therein to be engaged by said wings to hold said wings in bent position, a substantially .V-shaped cut-away portion between said ears and spaced from said score lines to bring together the ears of each wing when the outer end of each wing is dished at said score lines.

8. A blank for forming a bow out out of a stiff but flexible sheet material, comprising a hub, a wing extended from each side of the hub widening from said hub outwardly and then narrowing toward the tip, a pair of outwardly projecting ears at the outer end of each wing, a cut-away portion between said ears, and a score line confining an area on the wing adjacent said cut-away portion so as to allow the dishing of the said tips of said wings between said ears and bringing said ears together, said ears being curved inwardly towards the cut-away portion, and said score lines being partly contiguous with the inner edges of the respective ears and then being connected by a curved score line.

9. A blank for forming a bow out out of a stiff but flexible sheet material, comprising a hub, a wing extended from each side of the hub widening from said hub outwardly and then narrowing toward the tip, a pair of outwardly projecting ears at the outer end of each Wing, a. cut-away portion between said ears, and a score line confining an area on the wing adjacent said cutaway portion so' as to allow the dishing of the said tips of said wings between said ears and bringing said ears together, said ears being curved inwardly towards the cut-away portion, and said score lines being partly contiguous with the inner edges of the respective ears and then being connected by a curved score line, said out being V-shaped with the apex on the longitudinal center line of each wing for bringing the edges of said out together when said wings are dished on said score line.

10. A tail for a bow which comprises a sheet of flexible material cut into the outline of the tail with an inclined ofiset edge portion, score lines extending from the edges of said offset portion towards the other transverse edge of said tail at an angle to align the ofiset transverse edges of said tail when said tail is folded on said score lines, and ears on the other transverse edge of said score lines for engagement with said bow.

11. A tail for a bow which comprises a sheet of flexible material cut into the outline of the tail with an inclined offset edge portion, score lines extending from the edges of said ofiset portion towards the other transverse edge of said tail at an angle to align the oifset transverse edges of said tail when said tail is folded on said score lines, and ears on the other transverse REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 67,091 Whitney July '23, 1867 1,485,144 Morgan Feb. 26, 1924 2,111,129 Rittenhouse Mar. 15, 1938 

